US Shelves Document Condemning UK Settlement Boycott

A draft statement prepared by senior US officials early this month, which would have condemned the United Kingdom, France, and Canada for halting imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, has been shelved. The document, dated September 8 and attributed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, described the actions by the European nations as "hostile moves against Israel that fuel antisemitism" and "unacceptably unacceptable tactics borrowed from the playbook of the antisemitic BDS movement."

According to three sources familiar with the matter, the statement was blocked because it lacked support from the White House and the State Department's leadership. When questioned by reporters on September 8, Rubio avoided direct criticism of the decision or any specific country, stating, "Obviously, we are not doing what Britain did. We saw their announcement, but I have no comment on it." While President Donald Trump had previously expressed opposition to settlement expansion, his administration exerted minimal pressure on Israel to change its policy, a stance that sometimes put him at odds with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, a strong proponent of settlements.

David Millstein, an advisor to US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, reportedly advanced the statement. A senior US official told Reuters that the draft was not prepared in consultation with the State Department or the White House. The US Embassy in Israel directed inquiries about Huckabee and Millstein to the State Department, which did not respond. The White House also did not comment.

Rubio confirmed earlier this month that the White House was aware of Britain's decision to impose sanctions on settlements, stating, "We knew in advance they were going to make the decision." He also noted that the sanctions have "implications for our ability to advance on the Strip, on the 20-point plan, and on peace on the border, which we are very committed to." However, Rubio clarified that the Trump administration does not intend to join the boycott.

In response to the sanctions, Israel reportedly informed the British Consulate in East Jerusalem that it must close and its diplomats would lose their accreditation within 30 days. British representatives at the US coordination center in Kiryat Gat and British diplomats in Ramallah were also reportedly asked to leave within a week.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called Israel's reaction "very regrettable" and stated his belief that the international community's actions were correct. Bloomberg reported that British diplomats privately conveyed to Americans that the sanctions are largely "symbolic" and unlikely to significantly impact trade or security relations. They also suggested that the measures could be circumvented through relabeling goods. Miliband expressed confidence that security and intelligence cooperation with Israel would continue. London is reportedly working behind the scenes to "calm the Trump administration" amid concerns about damaging relations with Washington. Miliband also reiterated the need to implement the 20-point plan, disarm Hamas, and withdraw Israel from Gaza to return to a peace process, while also noting the need for significant reforms within the Palestinian Authority.